He was born in Athens to Lee and Thelma Bowden. He graduated from Athens High School and the University of Georgia. He served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force before joining Eveready Battery Company as a sales manager. He spent his childhood summers at Athens Y Camp. As a counselor, he met his wife, Shirley Deane in Tallulah Falls. They were married in 1956 in Tutwiler, Miss., and moved to Japan while he served in the Air Force. After he left the service, they lived in Atlanta, Connecticut, New Jersey and Stone Mountain. He was a faithful Georgia fan and loved nothing more than heading to Sanford Stadium on fall Saturdays. He also was a member of Smoke Rise Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, worked as a member of the kitchen staff and attended Sunday school. Frank and Shirley Deane loved summers and weekends on Lake Burton.

Frank is survived by: a brother, Neil Bowden of Spartanburg, S.C.; four daughters, Marilyn Bowden of Atlanta, Debbie Hargrave of Watkinsville, Laurie Roddy of Knoxville and Beverly Maiellaro of Atlanta; and eight grandchildren.

His funeral will be held at 1 p.m. today at Smoke Rise Baptist Church. A graveside service will follow at 3:30 p.m. at Oconee Hills Cemetery in Athens.

The family is asking that expressions of sympathy be made in the form of contributions to Athens Y Camp, attn: Ed Schaefer, P.O. Box 8, Tallulah Falls, GA 30573; or Camp High Harbour, attn: Ken O’Kelley, business office, 200 Main St., suite 108, Gainesville, GA 30501.

Tom M. Wages Funeral Service in Snellville is in charge of arrangements. An online guestbook is available at www.wagesfuneralhome.com.